Governor orders NJ state flags lowered for Colts Neck Marine

By order of Governor Chris Christie today, flags at New Jersey state buildings will be raised to half-staff on Tuesday, July 25, in memory of Marine Corporal Dan Baldassare of Colts Neck.

U.S. Marine Dan Baldassare (Facebook/Dan Baldassare)

The 2015 Colts Neck High School graduate was one of 16 victims of the July 10 crash of a KC-10 in Mississippi, including 14 other Marines and a U.S. Navy sailor.

Baldassare enlisted in the Marines the same year he graduated, serving honorably in the Special Operations Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was a recipient of the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Service Defense Medal.

"Our State and nation were shocked by the news of this tragic accident," Christie said in prepared comments.. "Corporal Baldassare and his fellow armed service members deserve our honor and solemn remembrance. Mary Pat, I, and the rest of our State lift up our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends hurt by this painful incident. Their selfless sacrifice should not and cannot go without thanks and gratitude."